Loose-leaf binder.



R. T. HOPPINGER. LOOSE LEAF BINDER, APPLICATION mum APR. 2, 1913.

1,1 08,438, Patented Aug. 25, 191% W/ T/VESSES E b ZJIIINVE/YTOR. 0 eroppznger 22 nonnnr J. norrmenn, orcnnvnnann, onto.

LOOSE-LEAF Brianna.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 25, 1914.

Application filed April 2, 1913. Serial No. 758,324. 3

Z '0 all whom it may concern: i

Be it known that I, ROBERT J. Horrns'onn, acitizen of the United States,residing at Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, haveinvented a new and useful Improvement in Loose-Leaf Binders, of whichthe following is a specification, the principle of the invention beingherein eX- plained and the best mode in which I have contemplatedapplying that principle, so as to distinguish it from other inventions.

My invention while inspirationally associated with loose-leaf bindersgenerally, may besaid to. have more especialrelation to. the combinationof members which together comprise the fastening contrivance proper.

The objects which the conception is alleged to eiiectuate, may beenumeratedto comprise, the provision of a device which permits ofsuccessive or current insertions without in any wise disturbing suchsheets as may already be embraced; which has few parts, is durable,sightly in; appearance, readily manipulated, simple and hence economicalof manufacture, and which furtherlnore adapts itself to satisfactory usewithout an inclosing cover by permitting a rigid projecting portion tobe grasped by the hand. 1

means which are hereinafter explained and variously combined in theclaims, while the annexed drawing and particular description thereoftogether set forth in detail several certainmeans constituting myinvention, the disclosed means however, being but some of variousmechanicalforms in which the principle of my invention may be applied.

Directing attention now to the drawing: Figure I is an elevation of oneform of my invention showing the parts assembled. Fig. II is a top planof Fig. I. Fig. III is an elevation of one part separated. Fig. IV is avertical section taken longitudinally of another part. Fi V is aperspective on a reduced scale showing my invention associated with. aparticular form of cover adapted to inclose the same. Fig. VIis aperspective indicating a use to which a modified form of my inventionmay be. put. Fig. VII is an enlargeddetail view showing a portion of onepart in elevation. .Fig. VIII is a vertical section similarly enlargedof the part seen ilnFigxVI, in cooperation with another part. y i mypreferred form com- The structure of The inventive conception isembodied in prises a back or supporting member A and this is in fact anelongated flat strip of steel. Equally spaced and projecting upwardlyfrom the member-ii are a plurality of rigid prongs B. Each of theseprongs issharply pointed at its upper extremity b and moreover justbelow such point is screw-threaded for a short. distance asclearlydesignated by the character 6 in Fig. III.

A complementary member or bar 0 likewise formed. of steel and.preferably nickel plated, is provided with a number of,openings csimilarly located a11dspacedas the prongs B. A like number ofhollowscrewcaps D {having interior complementary screw-threads d projectloosely through the openings 0. Theirdislodgmcnt is precluded by reasonof the fact that their lowerextremities cl: are slightly upset As mustnow be apparent, the member 0 carrying the severalxmembers D may. beplaced over the extremities of the prongs B so as to .restjupon andinclose them. Tlhere after a successive rotation of th screw-caps causeseach in turn to engage the screwthreads 7) and. thussecure the membersA.

andC with respect toeachother.

. In Fi V the back member A fines of an inclosing cover F. I have foundmost satisfactory, a cover comprising two flaps f" of suitabledimensions, namely somewhat in excess as tolength to that of the memberA, and as to width somewhat in excess to that of the sheets intended tobe em-- braced. intermediary strips f and f jwhich are flexibly securedeach to one flap and to each other along their opposite edges. The stripf is of a width equal to the total length of the prongs plus theprojection of the screwcaps. The strip is of a lesser widtlnspccificallysuch that it corresponds substantially with the width of theback memberA which it is intended to embrace as earlier sug* gested. i I i Themodification seen in Fig. VI discloses the useto which my inventivebinder may be put independently of an inclosing cover. Such an applieduse frequently answers in is shown sewn or otherwnse inelosed withinthereon This cover furth ermore includes two the case of newspapers G inpublic libraries i for instance, where frequent substitution must needsbe made and the blndiug of a comparatlvely small numberof publicatlonsis temporary. The use made of public reading facilities of this naturedoes not impose a requirement for covers,in fact the identity fortablygrasped by the hand. To this end the handle H is provided and may besecured to one extremity of the member A in any feasible manner.

My invention being thus described with -suflicient thoroughness, what Idesire to secure by Letters Patent and therefore claim specifically,is: 1. A loose-leaf binder comprising the com bination of a base member,a pair of rigid prongs projecting therefrom each provided near its freeextremity with screw-threads, a clamping bar provided with openingsspaced as said prongs, and a pair of complementarily threaded screw-capsloosely seated in said openings respectively and adapted to engage suchprongs the outer sides of the caps being closed.

2. A looseleaf binder comprising the combination of an elongated member,a plurality of substantially straight prongs pro jecting transverselytherefrom, a bar having upwardly recessed portions closed above, saidportions being correspondingly spaced as and adapted to cover saidprongs, and means operatively connecting said portions and prongs forfixing said bar and the ends of said prongs with respect to each other.3. A loose-leaf binder comprising the combination of a base-member, aplurality of prongs projecting therefrom, said prongs beingscrew-threaded, a bar provided with openings correspondingly spaced assaid prongs, and screw-caps pivotally mounted in said openings andadapted to engage said prongs said caps having their outer sides closed.

at. A loose-leaf binder comprising the combination of a base-member, aplurality of prongs projecting therefrom, said prongs beingscrew-threaded near their extremities, a bar provided with openingscorrespondingly spaced as said prongs and intersected by the latter, andscrew-caps pivotally secured in said openings respectively and havingtheir outer sides closed, said screwcaps being adapted to cooperate withsaid threads.

A loose-leaf binder comprising the combination of a supporting member, aplurality of prongs projectin therefrom, a clamping member provided witha plurality of apertures spaced as and adapted to be intersected by saidprongs, and means movably supported upon said clamping memher for fixingthe latter to said pr ongs, said means adapted to cover the extremitiesof said prongs.

6.. A loose-leaf binder comprising the combination of a base member, aplurality of prongs projecting upwardly therefrom. and provided neartheir extremities with screw-threads, a bar member provided withopenings spaced as said prongs, and a corresponding number ofcomplementary screw-caps loosely mounted in said openings, said capsbeing irremovable and adapted to engage said prongs, and means involvingthe configuration'of said caps for limit- 1 ing their movement and thatof said barin the direction of said base member.

7. A loose-leaf binder comprising the combination of a cover having twoflaps and a plurality of intermediary strips, said flaps and stripsbeing movable into different planes with respect to each other, a membersecured to one ofsuch strips and extending parallel therewith, saidmember being provided withinwardly projecting prongs, a clamping barhaving openings intersected by said prongs respectively, and fasteningmembers mounted in said openings and movable with respect thereto, saidmembers adapted to cooperate with said prongs.

8. A loose-leaf binder comprising the i combination of a pair of stripsflexibly secured to each other, a pair of covers flexibly secured tosaid strips respectively, a supporting member secured to one of saidstrips,

a pluralityof prongs projecting from said member, a clamping memberprovided with a plurality of openings spaced as and adapt ed to beintersected by said prongs, and

means for fixing said clamping member.

upon, and adapted to cover the extremities of said prongs.

9. A loose-leaf binder comprising the combination of a pair of stripsflexibly secured edgewise to each other one of said strips being widerthan the other, a pair of covers flexibly secured edgewise of saidstrips respectively, a rigid supporting member inclosed by the narrowerof said strips and provided with upright prongs projectingtherethrough', said prongs being screwthreaded adjacent their upperextremities, a clamping member provided with a corresponding number ofopenings spaced as said prongs, and screw-caps movably secured in saidopenings, said screw-caps being closed above and adapted to support saidclamping member upon the extremities of said prongs.

Signed by me, this 31st day of March,

ROBERT J. HOPPINGERI Attested by: p

' LYNN E. MUELLER,

HELEN N. HINE.

Commissioner of Patents,

